KCABJ Student Journalism Academy Application

KCABJ is a bonded, not-for-profit corporation registered with the Secretary of State of Missouri and affiliated with the National Association of Black Journalists.

About the Kansas City Association of Black Journalists

KCABJ was founded in 1981, and this year it celebrates its 27th anniversary as an organization of professional black journalists. This is the 26th KCABJ Urban Student Journalism Academy. Many graduates of the program are established in the field or are pursuing careers in journalism.
For more information about the academy or the Kansas City Association of Black Journalists call KCABJ member Glenn E. Rice, a reporter with The Kansas City Star at (816) 234-5908 or KCABJ Treasurer Lewis W. Diuguid, vice president of community resources at The Kansas City Star at (816) 234-4723.

About Penn Valley Community College

Metropolitan Community College – Penn Valley, 3201 Southwest Trafficway, is part of the Metropolitan Community Colleges, which includes five colleges in nine locations in the Kansas City, Mo., area. The others are Blue River, Maple Woods, Business Technology and Longview community colleges.
The Kansas City Association of Black Journalists is committed to working with high school and college students to prepare them for careers in print and broadcast journalism or other communications fields. This year’s academy continues that tradition.

The 2009 KCABJ Urban Journalism Academy is free to students. It is a commuter program and will be at MCC – Penn Valley June 22-July 3. There is a mandatory orientation set for Saturday, June 20 at The Kansas City Star, 1729 Grand Blvd. Each student is responsible for his or her own transportation to and from the college each day. Class begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m. Metropolitan Community College – Penn Valley is on a major bus line.

This academy is unique in our area because it is taught by black journalists working for newspapers, television and radio stations and in public relations in Greater Kansas City. Educators will add their knowledge to the instruction. Students will be:
Assigned stories to report and write.
They will work on computers.
Shadow reporters.
Benefit from lectures from major
newsmakers.
Network with influential people.
Produce their own newspaper and radio and television newscasts.

Every student who attends the academy leaves with enhanced reading, writing, analytical, communication and questioning skills. Teachers and parents have said teen-agers and young adults have returned from the summer energized and far more interested and able to learn than before.

Scholarships & Other Opportunities
Students selected for the academy will compete for scholarships offered by KCABJ. The awards go to the best students in the class. The class size will be limited to 12. Many of our graduates are award-winning journalists today.To Apply
1. Write a one-page essay on the role people of color should have in journalism.
2. Send one sample of your writing — if possible something that has been published (e.g. an article in your school newspaper). We are seeking committed students who are not afraid of hard work and who already have a demonstrated interest in journalism.
3. Mail this completed application, your essay and writing sample by April 25, 2009, to KCABJ, P.O. Box 32744, Kansas City, Mo. 64111.

Academy Application

Name_____________________________________

E-mail:____________________________________

Male______ Female _______ Birth date_________

Social Security #____________________________

Address___________________________________

City_________________ State/ZIP _____________

Phone ____________________________________

School Name_______________________________

Year in School ______________________________

GPA_______________________________________

Journalism/English/Yearbook Teacher’s Name:

___________________________________________

In which area are you most interested? Rank
each 1, 2, 3 or 4 with your favorite being #1.
_____Newspaper Television ________

______Radio Public Relations _____

List journalism and/or writing experience in courses you have taken or media companies
where you’ve worked:________________________________________________________